Water in lower unit

[drchpete]

1992 Evinrude 40 TLENM. Oil was milky when I drained it. Both screws had gaskets when I checked them. Where is the water getting in from? What are my options? DIY project? What happens if I do nothing?

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Water in lower unit

Shaft seals are the likely culprit if your sure the screws arnt leaking. If you do nothing.... Theres lots of pressure on those gears down there, eventually the gear case will let go and you'll be buying another or rebuilding the one you have.

DIY index - 8 out of 10 to rebuild 4 of 10 to replace with another

 

[Randyg123]

Re: Water in lower unit

Even if they had gaskets on them, were they good? Were the screws tightened up correctly. Those darn things leak pretty easily. How long ago was the last time you checked the oil? If it was a few years, well......

If it has been a while and you are not positive everything was top-notch with the plugs and gaskets - Drain, refill, (perhaps drain again to make sure you got the water out) and run for a short while to see if water gets back in. Make sure you have the proper gaskets (and they were new) and everything is really tightened down correctly. Those who know on this site recommend these gaskets be replaced every time you change your oil.

If you know everything was correct with these screw plugs and gaskets, then it's a bigger issue as you suspected But as suggested, don't mess around with the issue and take it lightly so you don't have a bigger problem on your hands.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Water in lower unit

Replace lower nit oil, put on new gaskets, go for a short run and check lower unit oil again. If milky then you need to put new seals in the lower unit. Get an OEM manual and "Git er done"

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Water in lower unit

It is said that failure to replace the drain and level plug washers is the most common source of water ingress ( have to confess that mine have never been replaced though and the oil has been changed almost every year since 1985)

There are seals on the prop shaft which are easily damaged by fishing line.
there are seals on the vertical drive shaft below the water pump. Less vulnerable to damage maybe but perhaps worth renewing them when the pump impeller is replaced. There is also an O ring on the shift rod and O rings on all the seal housings.